Reincarnated as a Mob in an Otome Game, but the Characters Were Worse Than I Expected, So I Crushed Them All and Destroyed the Story - Chapter 44: Mob Negotiates

Chapter 44: Mob Negotiates

“What a fascinating proposal. You really are something, you know.”

Charlotte laughed, genuinely entertained.

As expected—Charlotte took the bait.

Out of everyone, I figured she’d be the one most likely to get hooked by this kind of plan. And it played out exactly like I thought.

“Thank you. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“You should. You’re quite the man. At least compared to my fiancé, you’ve got a far better presence.”

“Ah… well, I’d rather not comment on that…”

Being told I’m better than that prince didn’t really feel all that great.

Besides, even if she threw that line at me, there’s no way I could respond properly.

That’s borderline treason.

Though, to be fair… I did just suggest overthrowing the entire kingdom like 30 seconds ago, so maybe I don’t have room to talk.

“Fufu. Trying to take down a country, but still careful about royal gossip?”

“It’s more of a mood thing.”

“Oh really? That’s kind of cute.”

Charlotte chuckled again, clearly amused.

Lisa, standing behind her, wore a mixed expression—somewhere between confusion and concern.

What? Come on, it’s not that weird.

“Anyway, would it be alright if I explained the full plan in detail another day?”

“No.”

“Alright, then we’ll do it later—wait, what?”

No?

Wait, why?

“…You’re saying I can’t?”

“Correct. No, you can’t.”

So it wasn’t just my imagination.

She really did say no.

But why? She looked so excited just a moment ago. That thrilled, hungry expression—wasn’t that genuine?

Why pull back now?

I thought about it for a moment… and eventually landed on a possible reason.

Something that would make sense even if she wanted to go through with it.

“…Could it be… you’re refusing because of your loyalty to House Maxwell?”

In the original story, the Maxwell family was said to have dabbled in dark magic and ended up being defeated by the protagonists.

But the heroes only acted on “evidence” that was presented to the king. Whether that evidence was actually real or not… was never really clear.

So for all I knew, the Maxwells might have been fiercely loyal retainers of the kingdom.

And if that were true, then what I was proposing would be the last thing they’d ever accept.

“That’s right.”

“I see… I understand.”

“…Just kidding.”

“…Huh?”

Wait, what?

So it’s not about House Maxwell?

That was the only explanation that made sense to me. I was already mentally preparing how I’d silence both Charlotte and Lisa if it came down to it.

But… that’s not the reason?

“Then why?”

“Hmm… if I had to sum it up in one word… I guess I’d say it’s unsatisfying.”

“Unsatisfying?”

She might be the only person in the world who could call a coup unsatisfying.

This was a literal plan to take over a kingdom—and she still found it lacking.

Absolutely terrifying.

“Then what would it take for you to cooperate?”

“Oh my, are you saying you’ll grant my wish?”

“I’ll decide after I hear it. I’m the one who brought up the whole coup idea in the first place—so I should at least be willing to listen, right?”

“I don’t have any reason to keep it a secret, so sure. I’ll tell you.”

Charlotte gave a fearless grin.

Was it just me, or did that smile carry an unsettling amount of danger?

“…So, what exactly is it that you think is missing?”

“I want something in return for helping you.”

“A reward? But I’m just a commoner. I don’t exactly have money to throw around.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not some cheap girl you can buy with money. I don’t need any of that.”

…That was seriously cool.

I kind of want to say something like that one day—“I’m not the kind of person you can buy with gold.”

“If it’s not money, then what can I offer? You’re making me more nervous now.”

“No need to worry. The thing I want… only you can give me.”

W-Wait a second… what’s that supposed to mean!?

I could feel the blood drain from my face.

Even Lisa, standing behind Charlotte, seemed to realize what she was about to say—her expression quickly turning panicked.

“My conditions are simple. Just two things. First—make me, Charlotte Maxwell, your pet. Second—satisfy me. As long as you agree to that… I’ll help you with anything.”

Of course my bad feeling was spot on, and the moment she said it, I felt dizzy.

I mean, what kind of degenerate throws out a condition like “Make me your pet or I won’t help you” in a negotiation!?

As I stood there, holding my head in disbelief, Lisa stormed forward and confronted Charlotte.

“Lady Charlotte! Becoming this perverted man’s pet is absolutely out of the question! Please, reconsider!”

“Hold on a sec! For the record—and for the sake of my honor—I am not a pervert! If anyone here is the problem, it’s clearly her!”

“Silence! Lady Charlotte started acting strange ever since that day… It’s all your fault!”

Lisa’s wild accusations pushed me to snap back.

No matter how much she wants to blame me for making Charlotte wear cat ears that one time, none of this would’ve happened unless Charlotte herself had some deeply hidden pervy instincts.

So yeah, I’m placing at least 80% of the blame on her.

“Calm down, Lisa. It’s really not that big of a deal.”

“It is a big deal! For the eldest daughter of House Maxwell to willingly become the pet of a commoner… And don’t forget—you’re engaged to Prince Alec! If you act on your own like this, won’t the head of the family be furious!?”

“My father? Oh, he can get mad all he wants. I’ve done more than enough to serve the Maxwell family already. A little rebellion like this is practically cute compared to the rest.”

Cute?

She says that… after laying out a condition soaked in pure fetish energy?

I mean, sure—being cute and being a pervert aren’t mutually exclusive. But still, there’s got to be a limit. Even Charlotte was pushing it with this one.

“Anyway, if you can’t accept my condition, then I won’t help with your little plan. And as a duke’s daughter of the Criminal Kingdom, I’ll have no choice but to arrest you. Now, make your choice.”

As she said that, Charlotte drew Gilbert, her spirit sword—inside the room, no less.

The blade’s tip pointed straight at me, radiating enough bloodlust and fighting spirit to prove she wasn’t bluffing.

(Welp… I lose. She totally got me.)

Quietly, I raised both hands in surrender.

There was no point in fighting Charlotte here. Even if I somehow won, I’d be labeled a criminal and hunted by the kingdom.

Sure, I’d still try to protect Haralua and stop the story from falling apart… but everything would instantly become ten times harder.

In that case, I was better off just going along with Charlotte—for now.

“Alright, fine. I accept your conditions. But you better hold up your end too, okay?”

“I’m not the kind of woman who needs to lie to get what she wants. If I want something, I take it with my own power. The only reason I’m even letting you negotiate is because you beat me—twice. So consider this a special privilege.”

As arrogant as ever.

But oddly enough, those words were the most trustworthy thing I’d heard all day.

If it’s Charlotte, she’d never lower herself to deception—not if it meant tainting her pride.

“Yeah… I know. Thank you.”

“Quick to agree. Good. Then let’s get started right away, shall we?”

“Get started…?”

I tilted my head, wondering if there was something else we hadn’t covered.

That’s when Charlotte blushed, breathing a little heavily, and raised her slender, elegant finger to the collar around her neck.

…

Right.

I’d completely forgotten about the play I used to stall her earlier.